Charles Phillips: Going places with partnerships

Business today is never really complete without turning to computers for better organization, access, and information management. Enterprises that lean on integrated hardware and software solutions are the main clientele for companies like Infor, which offers applications specifically built for running a successful business. Infor operates in 194 countries and across a wide range of industries.

But just like any of its clients who are prepared to create a productive partnership based on individual specialization, Infor derives much of its strength from strategic partnerships. Working with information technology companies whose hardware, software, and services complement Infor’s own suite of services, the company and its CEO, Charles Phillips, continue to provide its customers with their business needs.

These partners are categorized into four types, based on their products’ lifecycle. The method allows the value of the solutions packages to increase. Among the firm’s partners are channel partners, solutions partners, complementary partners, and strategic partners.

Channel partners are those that handle the indirect sales of Infor’s channels. The global network allows Infor to reach its customers at a local level. Solutions partners are those that Infor partners with for industry-specific, specialized, and advanced technology areas.

Meanwhile, complementary partners are those that develop interfaces, support, and services through channel partners, and are provided with resources at Infor. Strategic partners, on the other hand, are those whose relationship with Infor is multi-faceted; they usually share tactical solutions regarding planning, design, and operations.

About Me

Charles E. Phillips is CEO of Infor Global Solutions, Inc., a leading provider of enterprise software solutions and applications based in Georgia. Prior to this, he was president of Oracle Corporation from May 2003 to September 2010. He also served as a director for global investment bank Morgan Stanley from 2006 to 2010. Before he embarked on a career in Wall Street, Mr. Phillips was an Information Technology Officer in the US Marine Corps, serving as Captain of the 2nd Battalion, 10th Marines. He holds a BS Computer Science degree from the US Air Force Academy, an MBA from Hampton University, and a JD from New York Law School.